We’ve moved to Covid Alert level 2, so the show on Thursday, 18 Feb with You, Me, Everybody will go ahead, but ticket sales are limited to 30. It would be best if you emailed through (jenine@torkington.com) to let me know you are coming.
Doors open at 7:00 for a 7:30pm start. $15.
December 26th will see our annual Boxing Day “leftover potluck and white elephant gift exchange” party. All are welcome! Bring along a dish to share made from Christmas leftovers (or not, you can cook something new if you prefer!), and a wrapped re-gift to exchange. There will be music of some description, although you never know what you’ll get. Some years we’ve had a piano player playing carols, some years we’ve had an open bluegrass jam or sing-around, or we could have an open mic set up for anyone wanting to perform a few. What will it be this year? There’s only one way to find out! Join us about 3pm on Saturday, December 26th!
Concert Night with Brenda Liddiard and Martha Louise.
Monday, 14 December 2020
7:30pm. $10.
with special guests The Pipi Pickers
Award-winning singer/songwriters, Brenda Liddiard and Martha Louise have been friends for many years, and have occasionally played together in different groupings around the folk/ascoustic scene. They have recently begun performing as a duo, providing instrumentation and harmony vocals for each other’s songs. They both play guitar, and Martha plays Appalachian dulcimer and rhythm mandolin, while Brenda plays lead mandolin. Having grown up in different parts of the world, they bring a unique mix of flavours to their combined performances.
Since coming to New Zealand in the 70's Martha has collaborated with many others, in groups such as Gentle Annie, The Broccoli Sisters, Late Harvest, Too far Gone and Martha and the Back Seat Drivers. Her live performances have been an opportunity to share her stories, with strong vocals, a rhythmic instrumental style, and words and music that come from the heart. Her recording, Mixed Feelings, was a finalist in the New Zealand Music Awards Best Folk Album in 1985, and she was NZCMA Entertainer of the Year for Songwriting in 1999.
“Martha Louise writes tender songs that will tug at your heart strings – songs of home, of
family, of love, of life – and witty, humorous songs that will tickle your funny bone. A concert
spot by Martha Louise is one not to be missed” – Tricia Lee
Read more about Martha Louise on Audioculture: https://www.audioculture.co.nz/people/martha-
louise
Brenda has been writing songs and playing guitar and mandolin since the 1970’s. She grew up in
England, but moved to Australia in 1974, where she was involved in the environment and anti-
nuclear movements, for which she composed and recorded a number of songs. Since the 1980s
she has mostly performed and toured with husband, Mark Laurent throughout NZ, Australia and
the UK. Brenda's song, For The River won the Australasian region award in the United Nations
Asia/Pacific Environmental Song Festival (Bangkok, 1988). Her solo album, Box of Memories, was
a finalist in the New Zealand Music Awards Best Folk Album in 2013.
“It is rare to experience something real, something close to the heart and from the heart”
Fiona Barnett
House Concert Host
Read more about Brenda at www.brendaliddiard.co.nz
Whangateau community twilight market this Friday 27 November from 4pm til 8 pm at the historic Whangateau Hall. Selling plants, produce, art, crafts, children’s books, eco-gifts, Peddlers Gin, sausage sizzle and more….a great opportunity to buy Christmas gifts from local sellers. Please support your local community at high tide.
prebook tickets by emailing jenine@torkington.com with number of tickets requested and name to put them under.
The Downunderdogs
The Downunderdogs perform a three-part harmony and instrumental blend of bluegrass, old-timey, country, and swing, mixed with originals penned by guitar players Jack MacKenzie and Peter Dyer. Supplying the heartbeat, extra cheery smile, and third vocal part, is Cathy Dyer on bass.
Like one of those old radio show taglines they are likely to chorus that they’re not happy until we’re happy, and it is hard to imagine any other outcome when you hear them perform.
As it happens, they are genuine, made-in-America imports.
MacKenzie hails from Southern California where he perfected his evocative, flowing, cross-picking style of guitar playing, influenced by legends such as Doc Watson and Tony Rice. In the 1970s he managed and performed at the famous McCabe’s music store on Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica before moving to New Zealand in the early 1980s.
Peter Dyer’s roots are in Little Dixie, Missouri where his dad’s Virginian and Kentuckian ancestors date back to the early 19th century. Dyer is a guitarist and an accomplished songwriter with titles such as Go Ahead and Cry, and Immigrants’ Song, one of several that come with his distinctive high-mountain yodel.
Michigan gave rise to Cathy Dyer’s accent, where she grew up learning classical violin, while on the side taking in that funky Motown groove. Peter and Cathy Dyer moved to New Zealand in 2004 and a few years later teamed up with MacKenzie to form the Downunderdogs.
7pm tonight, dancing starts at 7:30pm.
Tickets $20 at the door.
Barry and the Crumpets are a foot-stomping, barn-romping country dance extravagance. Playing old-time classics, breakneck bluegrass and swampy blues. All played toe-tapping fast and knee-slapping rowdy.
You can find their debut album “A Good Keen Band” on Bandcamp now for streaming or purchase. Check out the Facebook page for dates of the album release tour.
It all started in Wellington when three friends started jamming together with banjo, mandolin and cajon on a dark midwinter night in 2017. As the night wore on, the tunes got stompier, their friends danced faster and before they knew it a band was born.
After 18 months of gigging around markets, bars and house parties in Wellington, a fiddler joined the fray. The band have since been honing their particular flavour of upbeat, old-fashioned mountain music and three-part harmonies with a smattering of celtic roots.
Barry and the Crumpets are:
Our Club Night this month is going to be shifted to WEDNESDAY, because of some scheduling conflicts. We will return to our usual last Monday in November.
Date: Wednesday, 28 October 2020
Time: Doors 6:45, show start at 7:00
Format: Club night, first half floor singers, Guest after the interval.
Cost: $15 online or at the door. Buy Tickets
About Club Manouche:
Featuring Professor James Sneyd on violin, Craig Denham on accordion and vocals, Steve (Happy Days) Sherry on guitar and Peter Scott on bass and vocals Club Manouche play a lively set of gypsy swing classics mixed with an eclectic selection of odd sorts. With the tangible camaraderie of seasoned players and long friendships their performances are filled with passion, gusto, a sense of humour and mischievousness and they’re not beyond taking a well known tune down the wormhole of contagious improvisational outbursts to see whats there.
Special concert! 7.30 pm show starts. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets available at Eventfinda.
Jan Preston Trio – 7 Oct 2020
Jan Preston is known as Australia’s Queen of boogie piano, her new upcoming cd release for October 2020 bears testament to that. She is a magnetic live performer and astonishing piano player with a rich resonant voice. Her original songs, compositions and mastery of boogie- woogie captivate audiences at festivals and in concerts around the world. Winner of 5 music awards, Jan writes music for film and TV, such as her sister Dame Gaylene Preston’s film My Year with Helen. From her background in classical music Jan has created her own style, not only through her piano playing but also her singing and songwriting, which now sees her shine as a truly Antipodean original.
https://www.elsewhere.co.nz/jazz/8828/jan-preston-play-it-again-jan-janprestoncom/
https://open.spotify.com/album/4F6QQvqUurmMyPf2hCAFrP Play It Again Jan album
https://www.facebook.com/sevensharp/videos/2383259598568771/ Jan Preston Trio ( Boogie Circus ) tvnz seven sharp March 2019
Jan was born in Greymouth on the remote West Coast of the South Island of NZ. Our family had little resources or opportunity, but I grew up in an era where people would gather around the piano and sing together. From when I was very young I played piano while everybody sang along or played tea chest basses, eggbeaters, combs, violins, even an old saxophone.
I had an Auntie who played honky tonk style, and heard Winifred Atwell along with early rock n roll on our old Columbus Radio in the kitchen.
Playing piano from the moment I could reach the keys, and being spurred on by my older sister and brother who both played, I studied classical very seriously, becoming a star student, passing all my grades with distinction and gaining a very prestigious place (one of 4 students from the whole of NZ) to study a 5 year classical piano degree at Auckland University.
Although I loved classical music, by the end of the degree I wasn’t happy to be a concert pianist or, more likely, a piano teacher.
So I cut off my hair, and moved to Wellington where I experimented with different styles of music, working in an independent theatre group and then rock bands.
In 1980 my band, “Coup D’Etat” had a No. 1 hit with the song “Doctor I Like Your Medicine”, after which I moved across the Tasman to Sydney, playing in bands and piano bars as well as writing music for films.
It was some years later before I found my own voice, as a boogie piano player and songwriter.
So here I am, still resident in Sydney, but constantly touring to play festivals, concerts and shows around the world, (even a recent trip to China), and I am grateful for the success and musical path I have found.
I am still enormously passionate about music and have so much more to play, sing and write!
Reviews
One woman, a piano and a whole lot of talent.
3 Weeks Edinburgh
From boogie woogie to ragtime the air pulsates with the magical rhythms she produces….a forceful presence and a huge performance energy.
ChCh Star NZ
One of the best pianists of our time, Preston masters the piano like a maestro juggling the keys. Her voice is suave and sensual, with finesse and sensibility.
Crossroads France
Australia’s finest female blues talent.
Drum Media Sydney
This New Zealander is a discovery for friends of excellent boogie based music.
Blues News Germany
Jan Preston is a crusader of the keys…she carries the torch for the piano culture.
Melbourne Age
She sings with a delivery which speaks of empowerment and hope….she’s got the blues in her heart, mardi gras in her fingers, and a Trans-Tasman attitude in her songs.
Rhythms Magazine Australia
At the piano she is queen.
ChCh Press NZ
Technically strong, full of character, dripping with life.
American Blues Review
https://www.audioculture.co.nz/people/jan-preston
Due to Level 2.5 restrictions, we have had to cancel tonight’s concert.
Please make sure you’re subscribed to our mailing list for all the latest updates!
We are optimistically trying again! Cross all your fingers and toes!
27 September 2020: Community Market Day. Buy, Sell, Swap, Chat. 9am – 1pm. All welcome!
28 September 2020: Folk Club. Guest: Bluegrass and Beyond (what do you think, third time lucky?), doors open at 6:45. Email jenine@torkington.com to reserve a first half floor spot. $10.